The systemic and deep human rights crisis in Belarus continues, according to a review of the human rights situation in July prepared by the Viasna Human Rights Center.
“Repression across the country is affecting an ever wider range of people: from dissenters, politicians and human rights defenders to representatives of civil society, cultural figures, entrepreneurs, and those who have shown solidarity with Ukraine, including in connection with the ‘Belarusian Hajun case,'” the rights defenders said.
As of the end of July, there were 880 political prisoners in places of detention in Belarus. The number of former political prisoners stood at 3,926. During the month, 39 people were recognized as political prisoners.
At least 180 political prisoners are in particularly vulnerable situations due to their health, age or the conditions of their detention.
The Belarusian authorities continue transnational repression through arbitrary criminal prosecution, inclusion on “extremist” lists, coercion into covert cooperation, surveillance, pressure applied directly or through relatives who remain in Belarus, and the confiscation of property belonging to those who have left the country.
The authorities continue to use legislation on public assemblies as a tool to restrict self-organization and civic activity. In July, up to 350 participants in the Rainbow Family gathering were detained, and one case was recorded of a person being held liable for organizing a picnic in a park.
Anti-extremism legislation is increasingly being applied beyond the political sphere, targeting critical statements, cultural initiatives, environmental projects and ordinary civic activity. Pressure on Belarusian culture has intensified, with initiatives being dissolved, shops and projects shut down, and the practice of designating materials and organizations as “extremist” continuing to expand.
Political “purges” are continuing at state-owned enterprises. Pressure has also intensified on students studying abroad and on people applying for documents to leave the country.
“Taken together, all of the above refutes the claim that the level of repression in Belarus is declining. In particular, the fact that the statute of limitations has expired for prosecuting participants in the 2020 street protests does not preclude criminal prosecution of those who were placed on wanted lists in subsequent years. The well-established practice of bringing criminal charges on various grounds against people who have returned to Belarus after being forced into exile underscores the continuing danger faced by dissenters and political opponents of the regime,” Viasna said.
